James Amidon

James Wesley Amidon, 88 of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away on June 29, 2022.  He was the loving husband of Audrey Ann Farina Amidon who predeceased him in 2010.  The couple were high school sweethearts who enjoyed over five decades of marriage.

James was born in Erie, Pa on July 31, 1933 to the late Donald LeRoy and Vivian Luella Amidon.  He grew up in the Marvintown neighborhood of Erie with his parents and siblings Gordon, Donna and Richard Amidon.

James graduated from Academy High School in 1951 where he and his future wife Audrey were both editors of the Academy yearbook.  After they were married in 1954 Jim served as a Corporal in the United States Army serving in Germany until 1956.  Upon his return to the United States, Jim worked at Union Bank. He studied and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking through Rutgers University in 1971 and went on to become a branch manager and officer of the National Bank of North East.

While working at the National Bank of North East Jim and Audrey lived and raised their three children Harborcreek, Pa.  Jim was an accomplished baseball player volunteered his time to coach many ball players in the Harborcreek Little League baseball program including his son James Matthew Amidon.

He was a devoted husband and father who loved to play golf.  He shared his love of the sport with his wife and three children who were all members of the Lawrence Park Golf Club. In 1974 Jim shot his first hole in one on hole number five at Lawrence Park.  Jim also played in the 7^th annual Lawrence Park Pro-Am Tournament winning the event led by Toby Lyons who was a local professional.  Lyons led a squad that included Ed Jakubowski, Doug Fugate and Jim Amidon.  They shot a 126 in the best ball, two-of-four format.

In addition to being a sports enthusiast Jim was an active volunteer.  He was a long-standing member of the Kiwanis Club of Erie and frequently volunteered at the Emmaus Soup Kitchen.  Jim was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the VFW Post #470, and the Siebenburger Club.

Jim will forever be remembered by all who knew him as a loving family man who would make them laugh with his quick wit and humor. Armed with new jokes and funny stories, he could make even a stranger laugh. A self-proclaimed Italian, Jim took to heart Frank Sinatra’s “I Did it My Way”. His personality glowed when he’d hit the dance floor, sing aloud to his favorite music, or cheer for his favorite teams.  Jim personified the words of the song, as a man who lived and loved a lot and through it all, did it his way!

In addition to his wife Audrey Amidon he was preceded in death by his three siblings Gordon, Donna and Richard Amidon.

He is survived by his daughter Andrea Orzechowski and her husband Felix, his daughter Michele Amidon (all of Erie) and his son James Matthew Amidon and his wife Stacey of Goose Creek, South Carolina, nine grandchildren, Danielle Ziner, Lindsay Lydic, Lauren and Rachel Orzechowski, Nicholas and Nathan Amidon and Molly Tate, James Camden Amidon and Gabriel Amidon plus several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services were held private and a funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Peach Church.  Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are under the care of the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, West Ridge 3801 W. 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506.  

Our family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at the Community Living Center of the Erie VA Medical Center for their compassionate care of our father, Jim.

Memorials can be made to VA Erie Health Care – Veteran Affairs Volunteers, the JC Martin Golf Restoration Fund or Asera Care Hospice of Erie, 12664 US 19, Waterford, PA  16441.

Flowers and condolences can be sent to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com